Pousada Castelo de Palmela

Only 45 minutes by car from downtown Lisbon, this traditional Portuguese pousada makes a fun overnight change of scene from the city. The soaring hilltop location offers arresting views out towards Lisbon and beyond. Dating back to the 15th century this former convent is traditionally and attractively laid out around a central cloistered courtyard with orange trees and shrubs. The no-frills bedrooms and bathrooms are plain and simple and rather old fashioned - in need of a facelift but nevertheless clean and tidy and comfortable. Staff are friendly but could be a little more in evidence. Breakfast is served in the sunny cloisters, dinner in the downstairs refectory decorated with antiques and tapestries. You can clamber over the ramparts of the adjacent Moorish castle marvellously unimpeded by health and safety regulations and gaze out at the infinite panorama. Walk down the steep pathway to reach sleepy Palmella, or take a taxi to nearby Setubal for delicious fresh seafood straight off the fishing boats.